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Validity of converting/transcoding 10-bit footage

PostPosted: Mon Feb 01, 2021 7:29 pm
by gva1994
Hi all,

A few questions:

1) Is there any point recording 10-bit H.264 video when you're going to convert/transcode it to something that Resolve (free version) can handle?
2) If I convert 10-bit video to 8-bit, would that be the same as just recording it in 8-bit?
3) Which 10-bit codecs does Resolve (free version) handle?

I'd be happy to buy the full version if I have to.

Thank you!

Re: Validity of converting/transcoding 10-bit footage

PostPosted: Tue Feb 02, 2021 12:42 pm
by Mark Foster
the free mac version does, the win not

you need the studio version!

Re: Validity of converting/transcoding 10-bit footage

PostPosted: Tue Feb 02, 2021 12:50 pm
by John Paines
1) yes

2) no

3) on Windows, DNxHD/HR, Cineform and using some third-party converters (Shutter Encoder, Cliptoolz, etc.), an unauthorized but workable version of Prores.

Or just do the sensible thing and buy Studio and support its continued development.

Re: Validity of converting/transcoding 10-bit footage

PostPosted: Tue Feb 02, 2021 3:34 pm
by Jim Simon
gva1994 wrote:I'd be happy to buy the full version if I have to.

Go with that. Proper solutions are always better than work arounds.

Re: Validity of converting/transcoding 10-bit footage

PostPosted: Wed Feb 03, 2021 9:15 pm
by gva1994
Thanks all for the help.

John Paines wrote:1) yes

2) no

3) on Windows, DNxHD/HR, Cineform and using some third-party converters (Shutter Encoder, Cliptoolz, etc.), an unauthorized but workable version of Prores.

Or just do the sensible thing and buy Studio and support its continued development.


Could you elaborate on 1) and 2)? I'm trying to understand the technicalities as much as I can...

Re: Validity of converting/transcoding 10-bit footage

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2021 1:55 am
by Uli Plank
1.) Most modern cameras can differentiate more shades of light (an color) than fit into 8 bit. Formats like ProRes Cineform or DNxHD/HR can preserve these even for the free version.
2.) You'll preserve more leeway for grading before the quality falls apart, even if your delivery is in 8 bit.

If you ever want to go HDR, 10 bit is a must.

Re: Validity of converting/transcoding 10-bit footage

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2021 8:37 am
by gva1994
Uli Plank wrote:1.) Most modern cameras can differentiate more shades of light (an color) than fit into 8 bit. Formats like ProRes Cineform or DNxHD/HR can preserve these even for the free version.
2.) You'll preserve more leeway for grading before the quality falls apart, even if your delivery is in 8 bit.

If you ever want to go HDR, 10 bit is a must.


Thank you!